Analysis apparatus and analysis disc used for the same

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to provide an analysis apparatus which can achieve an image with a proper contrast even from an analysis object on an analysis optical disc. When an image is obtained from an analysis object  111 , a control unit ( 210 ) switches a switch ( 208 ) in such a way that a detection signal of laser light has a constant average value, the laser light having been emitted to the analysis optical disc and reflected thereon or passed therethrough, and the control unit ( 210 ) feeds back the output signal of an integrating circuit ( 209 ) to an APC circuit ( 115 ) for controlling a laser drive circuit ( 116 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an analysis apparatus in which ananalysis object such as blood is set in an optical disc for analysis andthe analysis object is traced and captured as an image.

BACKGROUND ART

As disclosed in National Publication of International Patent ApplicationNo. 10-504397 and others, methods are available in which an analysisobject to be tested is disposed in a certain portion on a disc, theanalysis object is traced, and an image of the analysis object isobtained by using the reproducing function of the optical disc.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, an optical disc 101 generally has tracks 103of an aluminum reflective layer that are formed on a surface of a base102. Information is recorded on pits and grooves 104 which areasperities finely formed on the tracks. Reference numeral 105 denotes aprotective layer.

In a typical optical disc drive shown in FIG. 5, reading is performed onthe tracks 103 by a laser beam Ph from a pickup 107 while the opticaldisc 101 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by a disc motor 106. Thepickup 107 is screwed onto a feed screw 109 driven by a traverse motor108. A servo control circuit 110 drives the traverse motor 108 to movethe pickup 107 in the radial direction in such a way that the tracks 103are traced according to the reproduction output of the pickup 107.Further, the servo control circuit 110 detects address informationrecorded on the tracks 103 and drives (CLV control) the disc motor 106with a constant linear velocity.

To be specific, the irradiation position of the laser beam Ph on theoptical disc 101 is controlled not only by driving the traverse motor108 but also by driving a tracking actuator (not shown), which isprovided in the pickup 107, to control the position of an optical pathof the laser beam Ph in the lateral direction (radial direction) withrespect to a surface of the optical disc 101 as necessary; meanwhile,the tracks 103 are traced accurately.

Unlike audio CDs and video CDs, in the case of an analysis disc, ananalysis object 111 is further disposed in the optical disc 101 as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7. In an analysis apparatus using the technique of aconventional optical disc drive, light reflected from the analysisobject 111 is read by a PD (photodetector) 117 of the pickup 107 shownin FIG. 8 and is processed by a video signal processing circuit 112 toobtain an image of the analysis object 111.

FIG. 8 shows a power control circuit of the pickup 107 shown in FIG. 5.

A laser beam output is emitted from an LD (laser LED) 113 of the pickup107 to the optical disc 101 to read information written on the pits,grooves, and the like of the optical disc 101 and information for eachdriving servo. The laser beam output is simultaneously emitted to afront monitor 114 serving as a monitor light-receiving element.

The output voltage of the front monitor 114 is inputted to an APCcircuit (Auto power control circuit) 115. The APC circuit 115 operates alaser drive circuit 116 in such a way that the front monitor 114 has aconstant voltage, and the APC circuit 115 performs feedback control insuch a way that the LD 113 has a constant output. The above analysisapparatus is no exception and similar control is performed therein,which effectively acts on stable capturing of signals from the pits,grooves, and the like on the disc.

In the optical disc drive shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the LD 113 and the PD117 of the pickup 107 are provided on one side of the optical disc 101to process a detection signal of laser light which has been emitted toand reflected from the optical disc 101. A power control circuit for thepickup 107 of an optical disc drive is configured in the same manner asin FIG. 8. In the optical disc drive, the pickup 107 has the opticaldisc 101 interposed between the LD 113 and the PD 117 as indicated by avirtual line of FIG. 9 to process a detection signal of laser lightwhich has been emitted to and passed through the optical disc 101.

However, an output for capturing on the pits and grooves is not alwaysoptimum as a laser output for obtaining an image of the part of theanalysis object 111.

This is because a laser path for obtaining information from the pits andgrooves provided in the optical disc 101 is different from a laser pathfor obtaining an image from the analysis object 111.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an analysisapparatus which can achieve an optimum laser output for obtaininginformation from pits and grooves and an optimum laser output forobtaining an image from an analysis object 111.

In order to solve the problem, according to the present invention,control is performed according to a contrast of a detected image when animage of the analysis object is obtained. With this configuration, it ispossible to obtain an image with an optimum contrast when obtaining theimage from the analysis object.

According to the present invention, the analysis apparatus is ananalysis apparatus for emitting detection light to an analysis opticaldisc and reading a state of an analysis object disposed in a part of theanalysis optical disc, wherein the apparatus comprises a control unit asa power control system of a laser device for generating laser lightemitted to the analysis optical disc, wherein the control unit has afirst switching state where the output of the laser light is detected bya monitor light-receiving element and feed back is performed in such away that the monitor light-receiving element has a constant value, and asecond switching state where feedback is performed in such a way that adetection signal of laser light has a constant average value, the laserlight having been emitted to the analysis optical disc and reflectedthereon or passed therethrough, and the control unit switches the powercontrol system to the first switching state until the detection of areading position of the analysis object in the analysis optical disc,and switches the power control system to the second switching state atthe reading position of the analysis object in the analysis opticaldisc.

Further, the control unit detects a mark disposed immediately in frontof the reading position of the analysis optical disc and switches thepower control system of the laser device to the second switching state.

Moreover, the control unit detects a mark disposed immediately in frontof the reading position of the analysis optical disc, switches the powercontrol system of the laser device to the second switching state, andreturns the power control system to the first switching state afterdetecting the lapse of specified time.

Besides, the control unit detects a mark disposed immediately in frontof the reading position of the analysis optical disc, switches the powercontrol system of the laser device to the second switching state,detects a mark disposed immediately behind the reading position, andswitches the power control system to the first switching state.

The analysis disc of the present invention is an analysis disc which canreproduce and trace pits or grooves and has a data area for controllingthe rotation of the disc and a reading area having an analysis objectdisposed therein, wherein a mark is recorded, over the radial directionof the reading area, at a position immediately in front of the readingarea in the rotation direction, the analysis object being disposed inthe reading area.

Further, the analysis disc of the present invention is an analysis discwhich can reproduce and trace pits or grooves and has a data area forcontrolling the rotation of the disc and a reading area having ananalysis object disposed therein, wherein marks are recorded, over theradial direction of the reading area, at positions immediately in frontof and behind the reading area in the rotation direction, the analysisobject being disposed in the reading area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an analysis apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an analysis optical disc used in theembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an analysis optical disc of theembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the analysis optical disc having marks infront of and behind an analysis object;

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing a typical optical disc drive;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a conventional analysisoptical disc;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the conventional analysis opticaldisc;

FIG. 8 is a structural diagram showing a power control circuit of aconventional pickup; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the analysis optical disc that shows thearrangement of an LD (laser LED) and a PD (photodetector) of aconventional transmission pickup.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an embodiment of the present invention willbe described below.

The same constituent elements as the conventional art shown in FIGS. 5to 9 are indicated by the same reference numerals in the followingexplanation.

FIG. 1 shows a power control circuit for a pickup 107 of an analysisapparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2to 4 show an analysis optical disc 201 used in the analysis apparatus.

First, the analysis optical disc 201 will be discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the analysis optical disc 201, a mixture of asample and a reagent corresponding to a test item is set as an analysisobject 111. Only at a position immediately in front of a reading area203 in a rotation direction C, a mark 204 is recorded over the radialdirection (the direction of arrow A) of the reading area. The analysisobject 111 is disposed in the reading area 203. FIG. 3 shows specificexamples of the positions of the analysis object 111 in the analysisoptical disc 201 and the mark 204 in the analysis optical disc 201.

As shown in FIG. 3( a), the analysis object 111 is provided between asurface 202 a and a track 103 of the analysis optical disc 201. The mark204 is formed by printing ink 205 and so on like a belt on a back 202 bof the analysis optical disc 201. In FIG. 3( a), reference numeral 206denotes a pit or a groove formed on the track 103 which has beensubjected to mirror-like finishing. Reference numeral 207 denotes a landformed on the track 103 which has been subjected to mirror-likefinishing.

As indicated by a virtual line of FIG. 3( a), the analysis object 111may be provided between the track 103 and the back 202 b of the analysisoptical disc 201.

The power control circuit shown in FIG. 1 switches, by means of a switch208, an input signal to be fed back to the APC circuit 115. The switch208 feeds back the output signal of a front monitor 114 or the outputsignal of an integrating circuit 209 to the APC circuit 115. The switch208 is controlled by a microcomputer 210 as follows:

When obtaining an EFM signal and a wobble signal on the analysis opticaldisc 201, the microcomputer 210 switches the switch 208 so as to feedback the output signal of the front monitor 114 to the APC circuit 115,and controls the laser output of the LD 113 in such a way that the frontmonitor 114 has a constant output voltage.

During an operation in which the laser output of the LD 113 iscontrolled in such a way that the front monitor 114 has a constantoutput voltage, when the microcomputer 210 detects the mark 204 from theoutput signal of the PD 117, the microcomputer 210 automaticallyswitches the switch 208 so as to feed back the output signal of theintegrating circuit 209, which integrates the output signal of a videosignal processing circuit 112 and outputs the signal, to the APC circuit115 and the microcomputer 210 enhances contrast on an image of theanalysis object 111 of the analysis optical disc 201.

To be specific, light reflected from the analysis object 111 is capturedby the PD 117 and inputted to the video signal processing circuit 112.Since the analysis optical disc 201 is traced by a laser light point,reflection of light fluctuates with time due to the analysis object 111.The fluctuation is averaged by the integrating circuit 209 and feedbackcontrol is performed on the output of laser light in such a way that animage outputted from the video signal processing circuit 112 has acontrast of an average value.

Further, the microcomputer 210 detects the mark 204 and returns theswitch 208, which has been switched so as to feed back the output signalof the integrating circuit 209 to the APC circuit 115, to a state wherethe output voltage of the front monitor 114 is fed back to the APCcircuit 115 after specified time since the detection of the mark 204.

With this configuration, it is possible to achieve an optimum laseroutput for obtaining information from the pits and grooves, and it ispossible to achieve video output with an optimum contrast by means of anoptimum laser output for obtaining an image from the analysis object111.

In this embodiment, the mark 204 is formed by printing the ink 205 likea belt on the back 202 b of the analysis optical disc 201. Theconfiguration shown FIG. 35( b) or 35(c) is also applicable.

In FIG. 3( b), the mark 204 can be similarly formed by providing aportion 211 where a mirror surface is partially absent on the track 103,which has been subjected to mirror-like finishing. To be specific, theportion 211 is a BCA (Burst Cutting Area, see DVD specifications, Ver.1.0 and so on) provided on the mirror surface of a DVD.

In FIG. 3( c), the mark 204 is similarly formed by providing an odd-formportion 212 such as a concave portion partially formed on the outside ofthe analysis optical disc 201. To be specific, the shape of the discitself is changed and light reflection is made different from that of adata track surface.

In each embodiment mentioned above, the mark 204 is disposed at aposition immediately in front of the reading area 203, which has theanalysis object 111 therein, in the rotation direction, and the switch208 is returned to the original state after specified time since themicrocomputer 210 recognizes the mark 204. The following configurationis also applicable: as shown in FIG. 4, a similar mark is disposed at aposition immediately behind the analysis object 111 as well as aposition immediately in front of the analysis object 111 on the analysisoptical disc 201, and the microcomputer 210 detects the mark immediatelybehind the analysis object 111 and returns the switch 208 to theoriginal state.

In the embodiments, the mark 204 of the analysis optical disc 201 isformed by printing, the removal of a mirror surface, or an odd form. Themark may be provided on the pit or groove 206 or the land 207 of theanalysis optical disc 201.

To be specific, the mark is detected by the pickup 107, so that a trackdata portion and the reading area 203 having the analysis object 111therein can be discriminated from each other. An example will bediscussed below.

The mark is constituted of pits of EFM, MFM, and so on. To be specific,the pits include a prepit and an LPP (land prepit) (a prepit engraved ona track for recording address information on a DVD-R/RW and on a landbetween the tracks). To be specific, the prepit includes a CAPA (prepitfor an address of the DVD-RAM). Some modulation like a wobble issuperimposed on the groove or land.

This example is similar to the embodiments in that regarding the markconstituted of pits, grooves, or lands on the analysis optical disc 201,a specific position and a range are a position immediately in front ofthe reading area 203, which has the analysis object 111 therein, in therotation direction or a position immediately behind the reading area 203in the rotation direction.

An analysis apparatus using the analysis disc 201 having the mark formedof pits, grooves, or lands is different from those of the embodimentsonly in that the pickup 107 reads the mark and generates each triggersignal having detected the position of the mark.

In the embodiments, the LD 113 and the PD 117 are disposed on one sideof the optical disc 101 to process a detection signal of laser lighthaving been emitted to and reflected from the optical disc 101. A powercontrol circuit for the pickup 107 of an optical disc drive configuredas below acts in the same manner as FIG. 1. In the optical disc drive,the pickup 107 has the optical disc 101 interposed between the LD 113and the PD 117 to process a detection signal of laser light which hasbeen emitted to and passed through the optical disc 101.

As described above, as a power control system of a laser device forgenerating laser light emitted to an analysis optical disc, a controlunit is provided which has a first switching state where the output ofthe laser light is detected by a monitor light-receiving element andfeedback is performed in such a way that the monitor light-receivingelement has a constant value, and a second switching state wherefeedback is performed in such a way that a detection signal of laserlight has a constant average value, the laser light having been emittedto the analysis optical disc and reflected thereon or passedtherethrough. The control unit switches the power control system to thefirst switching state until the detection of a reading position of theanalysis object in the analysis optical disc, and switches the powercontrol system to the second switching state at the reading position ofthe analysis object in the analysis optical disc. Thus, it is possibleto achieve an optimum laser output for obtaining information from pitsand grooves and an optimum laser output for obtaining an image from theanalysis object, thereby achieving an image with a high contrast.

1. An analysis apparatus for emitting detection light to an analysisoptical disc and reading a state of an analysis object disposed in apart of the analysis optical disc, wherein the analysis apparatuscomprises a control unit as a power control system of a laser device forgenerating laser light emitted to the analysis optical disc, wherein thecontrol unit has a first switching state in which an output of the laserlight is detected by a monitor light-receiving element and feedback isperformed in such a way that the monitor light-receiving element has aconstant value, and a second switching state in which feedback isperformed in such a way that a detection signal of laser light has aconstant average value, the laser light having been emitted to theanalysis optical disc and reflected thereon or passed therethrough, andthe control unit switches the power control system to the firstswitching state until a reading position of the analysis object in theanalysis optical disc is detected, and switches the power control systemto the second switching state at the reading position of the analysisobject in the analysis optical disc.
 2. The analysis apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the control unit detects a mark disposed immediatelyin front of the reading position of the analysis optical disc andswitches the power control system of the laser device to the secondswitching state.
 3. The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit detects a mark disposed immediately in front of thereading position of the analysis optical disc, switches the powercontrol system of the laser device to the second switching state, andreturns the power control system to the first switching state afterdetecting a lapse of specified time.
 4. The analysis apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the control unit detects a mark disposed immediatelyin front of the reading position of the analysis optical disc, switchesthe power control system of the laser device to the second switchingstate, detects a mark disposed immediately behind the reading position,and switches the power control system to the first switching state.